Nonureva Really Surprised!

Murphy Howard I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

Rainey Dawn Marek Toleslawski went searching for a lottery ticket in his dead father's grave. From shock, Marek's face became frozen with a permanent evil grin - he became Mr. Sardonicus. Sardonicus bought a mask and the title Baron. He also bought a large home with the winning lottery money. He took a beautiful wife and a few servants. He ends up finding a doctor who tries to help him with his affliction but it did not help... Sardonicus ends up trying to force the doctor into fixing his face.My ballot vote: Thumbs down - no mercy on Mr. Sardonicus.This is a pretty good classic horror film. Good for late night watching.8/10

Johan Louwet The most interesting thing about this movie was the whole back story of how Marek became Mr. Sardonicus. I had heard about ghouls before but I thought they were some undead creatures like zombies. I don't know if zombie movies got their inspiration from this movie or legend but I certainly loved the idea of the punishment he got for digging his father's grave just because his former wife wanted that winning lottery ticket so badly and be wealthy. With all this wealth though he couldn't get a cure. The ghoul face of Sardonicus is splendid and really creepy, his mannerisms and actions deliciously cruel what you expect from a man that has become a monster. The actions undertaken on the poor maid and almost ton his own wife by Krull are proof how devilish he has become. Strong performances from Guy Rolfe as Mr. Sardonicus, Oskar Homolka as Krull, Ronald Lewis as Dr. Robert and Lorna Hanson as the maid Anna. The ending might seem typical for the period of time, but I loved it a lot.

sddavis63 Aside from the opening narrative and the closing "punishment poll" (in which the audience, presumably at theatres, was invited to decide whether Sardonicus should be punished or shown mercy) from director William Castle - neither of which were necessary - "Mr. Sardonicus" is actually a pretty smart movie that moves along at a nice pace and is at times tense and that even manages to fit in some rather twisted sexual innuendo in such a way that it fit the story perfectly.Sardonicus is a Central European baron who spends his life wearing a mask to hide his grotesque face, frozen by a traumatic incident years earlier. Convincing the English Dr. Cargrave to come to him, Sardonicus ensures the doctor's co-operation with threats against his beautiful wife, with whom Cargrave had a previous relationship.The story is decent. The makeup for Sardonicus is a bit silly but workable, and it does offer the viewer a bit of a start when his appearance is first revealed, and there's even discussion of psychosomatic illness included. All things considered, it's a pretty well done movie. (7/10)

LeonLouisRicci William Castle Movies, today, almost always have the term "Fun" attached as Reviewers and Fans try to point Newbies in His direction. However, appropriate for the most part, it is possible to say that this Movie is anything but. The Punishment Poll Gimmick notwithstanding this is one creepy, horrifying Film. There is absolutely no Fun to be found here.From the Gothic atmosphere to the inherent cruelty and tragic situations the Movie sucks you in with a heavy dose of Melodrama and Terror. The Writing and the Cast all play this perfectly straight, and the Movie is better for it. Containing one of the most remarkable and memorable, shocking and traumatizing Make-Up effects ever in a Horror Movie.There is not a Boomer out there that saw this Movie in the Theatre that does not, could not, forget it. For the most part it is an Icon that they carry to this day. It is a Film that is sharply constructed as an entry into Nineteenth Century Medical Procedures, Myths, and Folklore.The Director's most serious Film has stood the test of time and is His only Period Piece, but what a Piece it is. Stands along side Corman's Poe adaptations, Hammer, and anything else that was the Contemporary of this fondly remembered Director.Note...What a Title!